Motor compressor



April 20, 1 937. c. B. MARTIN MOTOR COMPRESSOR Filed Nov. z, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 21.55 MART/N i .mmm i un A TTOENE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 c. B. MARTIN MOTOR COMPRESSOR Filed Nov.' 2, 195e April 20, 1937."

/TTOENE YS w m MM f 9 w M n N. 9 H m mf\ 4f 3, A V. 4 HV1 g 6 ^,W q l 6 5 a w w M E n Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES yPATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to prime movers, and more particularly to mechanisms for generating and/or compressing and storing fluids such as steam and air for use in operating various ly ineil'icient power transferring function of such mechanisms embodying a crank motion.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 15 vide a unitary motor-compressor wherein the heat of exhaust gases from the operation of the motor is utilized to convert water into steam for mixing with the compressed air delivered by the compressor, whereby to produce a pressure fluid high- 20 1y desirable for use as a source of power in operating a turbine or other machine. Another object of the invention is to provide a unitary motor-compressor wherein heat from the cylinder walls resulting from combustion 5 of fuel and compressing of air, is utilized in the manner of the exhaust gases to heat water in a receiver which encloses the motor compressor, and from which the pressure fluid as delivered thereto by the compressor, can be dispensed in a mixture with the steam generated in the receiver.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a motor-compressor structure embodying means for automatically stopping operation of the motorshould the internal pressure inthe receiver reach a predetermined maximum for safe operation; which provides for the supply of illtered air to the compressor to eliminate any foreign substances from the air which might damage workingl parts of the compressor; and which provides for the automatic storage of. air under pressure in a manner to enable such air to be utilized to initiate operation of the mechanism.

With these and other objects in view. the invention consists in the combinations and arrange- 45 ments of elements as set forth inthe following specification and particularly pointed out in the (Cl. 23o-56) Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a circuit interrupter embodied in the inventionr Referring specifically to the drawings, the inf vention comprises a receiver I of generally rectangular outline from the end walls il and I2 of which is supported a rigid assembly composed of two identical low pressure units L and L' and a single high pressure unit H interposed between the low pressure units. The cylinders I3 and i3d of the units L and L are reversely arranged end for end and are co-axially related to each other and to the cylinder Il of the high pressure unit H. Working in the cylinders I3, I3a and Il, is a piston unit P composed of low pressure pistons I5-I5a working in the respective cylinders I3 and I3a, and a high pressure piston I6 working in the cylinder i4. The pistons I5, I5a` and I6 are rigidly connected by a piston rod I1 having tubular end portions I8 and Ita freely receiving the stems I9 and I9a of exhaust valves 20 and 20m controlling exhaust ports 2| and 2|a communieating by pipes 22 and `22a with the opposite ends of an exhaust manifold' 23 submerged in a body of water in the receiver I0, and opening` to the atmosphere by means of an exhaust pipe 24. The inner ends of the stems I9 and Isa are provided with angulariy shaped heads 25 and 25a. respectively, freely slidable in the bores `of the respective portions I8 and Ita to co-act with the inner ends of such bores and with abutment plates 26 and 26a xed, respectively, to the pistons I5 and ISa to provide lost motion operative connections between the piston unit and the valves and 20a. For operating the valves in conjunction with the lost motion operative connection, as thus provided, arms 2'I vand 21au are pivoted, respectively, at 28 and 28a on the brackets 29 and 29a secured to the cylinder heads 30 and 30a inwhich spark plugs 3l and 3Ia are supported. The outer ends of the arms have pin-and-slot connections 32 and 32a. with the outer ends of the respective stems I9 and Ia, and are urged by springs 33 and 33a, respectively, to one extreme position or another to releasably retainthe respective valve open or closed in accordance with the movement imparted theretoincident to movement of the piston unit P, all-to be more fully described in the operation of the invention.

Fuel is adapted to be supplied from a suitable source of supply, under gravity ilow or light pressure, to the combustion chambers 3l and 34a of the respective cylinders I3' and I3a through ports 35 and 35a in the cylinders controlled by pairs of inwardly opening check valves 36'3'l and Sla-'- 31a between which are atomizing chambers I v3ft-38a into which project fuel nozzles 39--39a.

The low pressure cylinders I3 and I 3a are, respectively, provided at their inner ends with air intake ports 40 and 40a controlled by check valves 4I and 4Ia seating against the inner ends of pipes 42 and 42a, respectivelyr communicating with a lter tank 43 containing a body of water to which the air is admitted for washing, through inlets 44 and 44a in the form of inverted U-shaped and screened pipes. 'Ihe low pressure cylinders are also provided, respectively, with air discharge ports 45 and 45a controlled by check valves 46 and 46a past which air compressed in the low pressure cylinders is forced into the respective ends'of the high pressure cylinder I4. l

The high pressure cylinder is provided at its endsl with air discharge ports 41 and 41a controlled by check valves 48 and 48a, respectively, past which the air as recompressed in the high pressure cylinder is discharged into pipes 49 and 49a, respectively, opening at their upper ends into the reservoir I0 above the maximum level of water therein as determined by the extent to which /a delivery pipe 50 leading from a Water supply tank 5I projects downwardly into the reservoir.

`Compressed air in the reservoir is adapted to enI er a dome 52 thereon, through openings 53, and to be dispensed from the dome under the control of a throttle valve 54, for use in the operation of a turbine or other fluid operated machine.

In their inner end Walls, the low pressure cylinders I3 and I3a are, respectively, provided with air passages 55 and 55a adapted to be placed in' lcommunication with the respective ends of the high pressure cylinder I4 by longitudinal and circumferential grooves 56, 51 and 56a, 51a, formed, respectively, in the piston rod I1 at opposite sides of the high pressure piston I6. This communication is established as the high pressure piston reaches the respective extreme position, so that such piston is free to force air through the respective passage 55 or 55a.

The passages 55 and 55a are, respectively, in communication with the atomizing chambers 38 and 38a through branch pipes 58 and 58a so that high pressure air will co-act with the respective fuel nozzle 39 0r 39a to suck fuel from the nozzle for mixing therewith and `injection of the explosive mixture into the respective combustion chamber 34 or 34a, as the case may be.

For each low pressure cylinder an interrupter I is provided as shown in detail in Figure 4, and as' the interrupters are identical in construction ,'a description of one will suflice for both. To

distinguish like parts of the interrupters fromv each otherthe numerals designating the parts of one interrupter are provided with exponents.

Each interrupter comprises a cylinder 59 having a. piston 60 therein normally urged to one extreme position by a coil spring 6I surrounding the rod 62 of the piston whichA passes through a cap 63 threaded into one end of the cylinder for adjustment to vary the loading of the spring whereby to vary the resistance of the piston 60 to the pressure of air from the atomizing chamber 38 which is in communication with the cylinder 59 by a pipe 64.

'Ihe outer -end of the rod 62 carriesa pivoted arm 65 of insulating material normally urged to one extreme position by a spring 66 wherein the outer encl of the arm is so disposed that when the piston is moved from its urged position by air forced into the atomizing chamber from the high pressure cylinder, the arm will momentarily make and then break an ignition circuit by wiping past flexible contact members 61 and 68 normally insulated from each other and having their free ends projecting at a right angle into the path of movement of the arm. During return movement of the piston by the spring which occurs when the pressure on the piston is relieved, the arm 65, in striking the contact member 68, will be rocked against the action of its spring 66 so as to reversely' pass the contact members without bringing their. free ends into engagement'. As shown in Figure l, the contact members of each of the two interrupters are included in the ignition circuit to supply current from a battery 69 through a spark coil 18 to the respective spark plugs 3| and 3Ia.

A conventional iluid responsive device 1I of the diaphragm or piston type is in communication with the reservoir I0 above the water level therein through a pipe 12 and has its actuating pin 13 disposed to close a fuel valve 14 should the uid pressure in the reservoir reach a predetermined maximum for safe operation, so as to .cut oif the supply of fuel to one low pressure cylinder and thereby stop the machine.

An air storage tank 15 is supported on the reservoir and is in communication with the reservoir above-the water level therein, through a check valve controlled pipe 16 so as to be supplied with air from the reservoir, to be utilized in starting operation of the machine. From the pipe 16leads a pipe 11 to a three-way valve 18 by which air` from the tank can be supplied to the branch pipe 58 through a pipe 19, or to the branch pipe 58a through a pipe 19a, all to be further described in the operation of the engine which is as follows:

To start the machine air under pressure in the tank 15 is supplied to the combustion chamber of one and then the other of the low pressure cylinders I3 and I3a through the respective pipes 19-58 and 19a- 58a past the respective check valves 36-36a. This is accomplished by shifting the air control valve 18 from its neutral position shown in full lines in Figure 1 to one extreme position and then the other as shown in broken lines in this figure, so as to place one and then the other of the pipes 19 and 19a in communication with' the storage tank, it being necessary to manipulate the valve 18 in this mannerv as the air can only function against one or the other of the low pressure pistons I5 and I 5a depending onthe position occupied thereby from a previous operation of the machine. l

With operation of the machine thus initiated, and assuming that the piston' unit P is moving towards the right as viewed in Figure l, the exhaust valve 20 will be moved towards closed position by the co-action of the head 25 on the stem I9 of the valve with the closed end of the tubular portion I8 of the piston rod I1 in which the head is freely slidable. As the exhaust valve 20 ap.- proaches its closed position, the spring 33 co-acts with the arm 21 to suddenly snap the valve closed and maintain it in its closed position. Concurrently with closing of the valve 20 the exhaust valve 20a is moved towards its open position by co-action of the head 25a on the stem I9a of the valve 20a with the abutment plate 26a on the low pressure piston I5a, the spring 33a co-acting l with the arm 21a as the valve 20a approaches -20 'isvbeing effected, the grooves 56 and 59 in the piston rod I1 place the right hand end of the aomsos pipe 58, atomizlng chamber 3 8 and fuel port 35,y

5 so that the high pressure piston i6 will force a jet of air past the check valve 36 into the combustion chamber 34 to momentarily scavenge the latter of any residual gases. remaining from a prejet passing the end of the fuel nozzle 39 will suck fuel past the check valve 3l andvintimatelypmix with the fuel to forma highly explosive mixture at high pressure in the combustion chamber 34.

Once the air pressure has reached its maximum in the combustion chambery 34 under the compressing, action of the high pressure piston i6, the pressure reacts through the pipe B6 upon the piston 6B of the interrupter I to move the latter against its spring Si and'thereby cause thearm 65 to momentarily make and break the vignition circuit at the contact members 8T and 58, thus supplying currentto the spark plug 3i to ignite the highly compressed charge oi fuel in'the combustion chamber 34. y

It will be appreciated that during the movement of the piston unit P towards the right,` filtered air will be drawn through the intake pipe 42 past the check valve 4I, and through the intake port 40 into the low pressure cylinder il be- 30 hind the piston I5.. Air drawn into the low pressure cylinder I3a by the suction of its piston lia,

piston-` I5, airpreviously'suckedzinto theflcw pressure cylinder I3 vis forced therefrom by the piston I5 past the check -valve 4t into the high pressure cylinder I4. Airv previously forced into the high pressure cylinder by the low pressure piston lia is concurrently forced by the high pressure piston IG past the check valve 48a and 50 through the standpipe 4.a into, the steam space of the receiver. Exhaust gases from a previously ignited fuel charge in the` combustion chamber 34a are forced by the low pressure pistonI lia through the exhaust pipe 22a into the exhaust manifold 23 so as .to heat the water in the receiver I0 and convert the water into steam which mixes with the highly compressed air delivered to the receiver by the.. two stage compressor as just described. The air and steam mixture is dispensed from the dome 52 under the control o f the throttle valve 54 to operate various devices. such as turbines. for example.

It will be apparent from the foregoing operation, that during each stroke of the piston unit P, iiltered air will be drawn into one low pressure cylinder, and air forced from the other low pressure cylinder into the high pressure cylinder behind the piston Il, concurrently with which re-compressed air in'advance of the pistn I6 will be forced into the receiver. Thus. ltered ,air

compressed in two stages will be deliveredto theA receiver from the compressor during each stroke of the piston unit. Should the pressure in the receiver rise to a 7 5 predetermined maximum which ,can be'safely held l `viously burned fuel charge. The incoming airv by the receiver, the line pressure responsive device 'H will operate to close thefuel `valve.'|4j.thusv cutting of! the supplybf.. fuel .to the combustion' chamber 34a whichl is all that isnecessaryto discontinue operationof theengine automatically.

What is claimedis: l. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a highfpressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons .working in the cylinders, yand a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting fuel in the combustion chambers to eiect reciprocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing airffn two stages; anda receiver into which the compressed air is discharged.

2. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality Of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders,.and a rod operatively vconnecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for ignitlng fuel in the combustion chambers to effect reciprocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to coact with the piston unit incompressing air in twostages; a receiver enclosing said cylinders and containing a body of liquid `to which heat generated by the combustion of fuel and the compression of air is transferred so as to'convert the liquid into vapor; and means for conducting the recompressed air from the high pressure cylinder to the steam space of the receiver vfor mixing with vapor therein.

3. A vmotor-compressor comprising a plurality of llow pressure cylinders having combustion chambers. anda highsvpressurecylinder interposed therebetween in cd-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; `means for igniting fuel .in the combustion chambers to eiect reciprocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston, unit in-compressing air in two stages; a receiver enclosing said cylinders and containing a bddy of liquid; means for conducting exhaust gases from the low pressure cylinders through the .liquidv t in the receiver so as to transfer heat from the gases to the liquid;'and 'means for conducting recompressed air from the Ahigh pressurev cylinder.to the receiver above the level of liquid therey in, for mixing with vapor rising from the liquid.

4. A-lmotor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationshipv thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to lbe supplied yto the combustion' chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting fuel in the combustion chambers to effect recipjrocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act'with the 4piston unit in compressing air in two stages; and means by which a portion of the air as compressed in the ioY high pressure cylinder by the pistonworking therein, will be delivered to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder in such timed relationship to the exhaust stroke of the 5 respective low pressure piston as to scavenge the g combustion chamber of residual gases.

5. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a. high pressure cylinder inter-l 140 posed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistonsworking in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion cham bers of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting the fuel in the combustion chambers to effect reciprocation of said unit; means by which the said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages;

means bywhich a portion of the -air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder by the piston working therein, will be delivered to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder in such timed relationship to the exhaust stroke of the respective lowA pressure piston as to scavenge the combustion chamber of residual gases; and means for utilizing said portion of the air to draw fuel into the combustion chamberl for the succeeding power stroke of the piston.

6. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylindersl and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which'fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting fuel ,in the combustion chambers to effect reciprocation of said unit: means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages; and means defining -an air passage to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder; the piston rod having means co-acting with said air passages to supply a portion of the air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder by the piston therein, to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder during the final portion of the exhaust stroke of the respective low pressure piston, to scavenge the combustion chamber of residual gases;

'7. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressureA cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be suplplied to the combustion chambers'of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting fuel in the com-ffii?,`

bustion-rchambers to effect reciprocation of f said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages; means defining an air passage to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder; the piston rod having means co-acting with said air passages to supply a portion of the air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder by the piston therein, to the combustion chamber of each low pressure cylinder during the iinal portion of the exhaust stroke of the respective low pressure piston, to scavenge the combustion chamber of residual gases; a fuel nozzle for each'low pressure cylinder adapted for connection to a inders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which said cyllndersare adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages in response to reciprocation of saidunit; means by which a portion of air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder is caused to draw fuel from a source of supply into each c'ombustion chamber to provide a volatile mixture of fuel and air therein; and means for igniting the, fuel charges in the respective combustion chambers at such times in the cycle of operation that the piston unit will be reciprocated.

9. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers and a high pressurey cylinder interposed therebetween i" co-axial relationship thereto; a

piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pis- A tons; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages in response to reciprocation of said unit; means by which a portion of air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder is caused to draw fuel from a source of supply into each combustion chamber to provide a volatile mixture of fuel and air therein; and means responsive to the pressure of said portion of air to effect ignition of the fuel charges in the respective combustion 'chambers at such times in the cycle las to reciprocate the piston unit.

10. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages in response to reciprocation of said unit; means by which a portion of air as compressed in the high pressure cylinder is caused to draw fuel from a source of supply into each combustion chamber to provide a volatile mixture of fuel and air therein; an ignition circuit including of current, and normally disengaged contact members; and means responsive to the pressure of said portion of airfto effect ignition of the fuel charges in the respective combustion chambers at such .an igniter in each combustion chamber, a source times in the cycle of operation that the piston unit will be reciprocated. I

11. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axial relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by winch fuel is adapted to be supplied to' the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for ignitingfuel in the combustion chambers to eect reciprocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages; a receiver into which the compressed air is discharged; means for storing air under pressure from the receiver; and means by which air from the last means can be delivered to the low pressure cylinders toinitiate reciprocation of the piston unit.

12. A motor-compressor comprising a plurality of low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers, and a high pressure cylinder interposed therebetween in co-axialA relationship thereto; a piston unit including pistons working in the cylinders, and a rod operatively connecting the pistons; means by which fuel is adapted to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the low pressure cylinders; means for igniting fuel in the combustion chambers to effect reciprocation of said unit; means by which said cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston' unit in compressing air in two stages; a receiver into which the.compressed air is discharged; and means responsive to a predetermined maximum pressure in the receiver to stop operation of the piston unit.

13. A motor-compressor comprising two low t pressure cylinders having combustion chambers provided with fuel and exhaust ports; a high pressure cylinder; interposed between and in coaxial relationship to the high pressure cylinders to form a rigid unitary structure; a piston unit including pistons working in the respective cylinders and a rod to which the pistons are secured; valves controlling said exhaust ports and having stems; lost motion operative connections between the stems of the respective valves and the piston rod for actuation of the valves to open and close the exhaust ports in timed relationship to reciprocation of the piston unit; means for supplying fuel to the combustion chambers; means for igniting the fuel at such times in the cycle of operation that the piston unit will be reciprocated; and means by which the cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in twostages.

14. A motor-compressor comprising two low pressure cylinders having combustion chambers provided with fuel and exhaust ports; `a high pressure cylinder; interposed between and in coaxial relationship to the high pressure cylinders to form a rigid unitary structure; a piston unit including pistons working in the respective cylinders, and a rod to which the pistons 4are secured; valves controlling said exhaust ports and having stems; lost motion operative connections between the stems of the respective valves and the piston rod for actuation of the valves to open and close the exhaust ports in timed relationship to reciprocation of the piston unit; means for supplying fuel to the combustion chambers; means for igniting the fuel at such times in the cycle of operation that the piston unit will be reciprocated; meansby which the cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two stages; a'receiver enclosing the cylinders and adapted to contain a body of liquid to which heat from the combustion of fuel and compression of air will be transferred; and means for conducting air from the high pressure cylinder to the receiver.

15. A motor-compressor comprising two low pressure vcylinders having combustion chambers provided with fuel and exhaust ports; a high pressure cylinder; interposed between and in coaxial relationship to the to form a rigid unitary structure; a piston unit including pistons working in the respective cylinders and a rod to which the pistons are secured; valves controlling said exhaust ports and having stems; lost motion operative connections between the stems of the respective valves and the piston rod for actuation of the valves to open and close the exhaust ports in timed relationship to reciprocation of the piston unit; means for supplying chambers; means for igniting the fuel at such times in the cycle of operation that the piston unit will be reciprocated; means by which the cylinders are adapted to co-act with the piston unit in compressing air in two steps; a receiver enclosing the cylinders and adapted to contain a body of liquid; an exhaust manifold communicating with said exhaust ports'and disposed in the receiver to transfer heat from the exhaust gases to liquid in the receiver; and means for conducting air from the high pressure cylinder to the steam space of the receiver.

CHARLES B. MARTIN.

high pressure cylinders fuel to the combustion 1' 

